The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, alleging that his continued stay in office poses a threat to religious harmony in the country.
In a statement issued by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group accused the INEC chairman of authoring an 80-page legal brief allegedly used by the United States to indict Nigeria over claims of Christian genocide.
MURIC expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as the Federal Government’s silence on calls for Amupitan’s removal, noting that several Islamic organisations had raised similar concerns.
“We are highly disappointed with both the Federal Government and Professor Joash Amupitan for their graveyard silence over the demand of the Nigerian Muslim community that the INEC boss should be removed,” the statement said.
The group further alleged that Amupitan’s actions had eroded confidence among Muslim voters, claiming that planned electoral processes under his leadership could lead to disenfranchisement.
“As far as Nigerian Muslims are concerned, Joash Amupitan has become persona non grata to our vision of the Nigerian electoral architecture. Even the PVC revalidation exercise being planned by him is seen by us as a trap,” the group stated.
MURIC described the INEC chairman as “an electoral burden” and “a potent threat to religious harmony,” insisting that he should step down or be replaced.
“He sold Nigeria once. He will sell Nigeria again. Anyone who invites external interference into the internal affairs of his country deserves scrutiny,” the statement added.
The group also called on the Federal Government to appoint what it described as “a tolerant Christian” as a replacement, arguing that such a move would help restore confidence in the electoral system.
It criticised the INEC chairman for not resigning amid the allegations, contrasting the situation with practices in other countries where public officials step down over controversies.
“People resign from office in other climes over such scandals, but in Nigeria, sit-tight syndrome appears to be the norm,” the statement said.
MURIC maintained that it would continue to press its demands, declaring a vote of no confidence in the INEC chairman and insisting that his removal was necessary to safeguard national unity and electoral integrity.
